Communites band together at National and Texoma Night Out

By Kristen Shanahan&nbsp|&nbsp

Posted: Tue 10:50 PM, Oct 02, 2012

GRAYSON COUNTY, TX -- Local law enforcement, firefighters and EMS personnel took time out to mix and mingle with their community. Kristen Shanahan joined in the fun at Texoma Night Out in Sherman and National Night Out in Van Alstyne and explains what the events are all about.

More than 500 people took part in Van Alstyne's National Night Out at the Community Center and police parking lot people enjoyed free food, kids played in a bounce house and checked out police cars.

"I've been looking in their cars and having fun," Laney Nfletcher said.

However, Van Alstyne Police Chief Tim Barnes says the event is not just about having fun.

"It's all about ridding crime you know working together. That's the main thing is to bring the community together to meet their officers and banding together to show the criminals that we're going to take control of our community," Chief Barnes said.

"I've never been in the back of a police car and now I know that to never get in trouble," Michael Collins said.

Helping kids steer away from crime is exactly one thing Sherman Police Sgt. D.M. Hampton says their Texoma Night Out is all about.

Dozens of kids and adults got to hang out with police at the Sherman Housing Authority and SNAP center.

"It's always a good idea to come out and reconnect with the community and the families that live out here and let them know that we're here for them and we want them to be here for us," Sgt. Hampton said.

Chief Barns and Sgt. Hampton say the best part is getting to know the people they serve.

"I like the connections it makes. Like I said a lot of time we come out and we are just answering calls and we don't have time to commit to talking to the community and getting to know these people, and it's just really neat to do that," Sgt. Hampton said.

"A lot of times a lot of people see us on bad light and this brings opportunity to see us as who we are and what we really are as far as serving the community," Chief Barnes said.

Bonham also held their National Night Out Tuesday night from 5:30 to 6 at Simpson Park.

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